Thirty-three runners living in Northern Colorado ran Monday’s historic Boston Marathon that drew an estimated 1 million spectators to celebrate Patriot’s Day and the return of the race, marred by last year’s bombings that killed three people and wounded 260 others.

“You really felt this energy of respect at the athlete’s village and the starting line. It was like, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re getting ready to do one of the most amazing races in the world,’” said Fort Collins runner Krystalanne Curwood, who ran a personal-best time of 3:01:46. “People dream their entire lives of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Some never do. Some weren’t able to finish the race last year. Today, you just felt so blessed to be here. You’re here to be serious and do your best and you’re here to also honor those who lost their lives or were hurt. It was all very powerful and emotional.”

Former Fort Collins resident, Adriana Nelson, was the third American woman at the 118th running of the race from Hopkinton, Mass., to Boylston Street in Boston.

Nelson, a professional runner for Asics who moved from Fort Collins to Boulder in 2012, ran the 26.2-mile race in 2 hours, 31 minutes, 15 seconds. She finished as the 15th woman overall in the race won by Rita Jeptoo of Kenya in 2:18:57.

Windsor’s Wendy Thomas, 35, was the top Northern Colorado finisher, clocking a 2:32:49.

August Demann, 24, of Fort Collins was the top local men’s finisher, running a time of 2:51:53.

Meb Keflezighi won the race in 2:08:37, becoming the first American man to win the Boston Marathon since Greg Meyer in 1983.

For most of the 32,408 runners, however, the race was more than just a competition. It was about returning to the site of last year’s bombings and showing the “Boston Strong” strength and resilience that couldn’t be taken away by violence.

Runners said that at the starting line Monday, the race announcer shouted to them before they started, “Take back that finish line!”

Fort Collins runner Carmen Carmack was one of about 9,000 runners who returned to Boston on Monday to finish what they started last year as thousands of people’s races were cut short due to the bombings. Carmack, 50, was stopped last year at mile 24.

She finished Monday, running a 3:48:54.

John Hagin ran his 10th consecutive Boston Marathon, finishing in a time of 4:10:31. At 70-years-old, he is the second-oldest local finisher. The top honor goes to Don R Van Dell, 71, of Loveland, who ran a time of 3:33:44.

Steve and Karen Anderson, who met in 2003 while waiting to catch the bus to the start of the Boston Marathon, ran times of 3:31:33 and 3:38:44, respectively.

Miranda Benzel, 23, a former Colorado State University track and cross country runner, ran a 3:28:18 in her debut Boston Marathon.

Loveland runner Nicole Fellure, 34, set a new personal best of 3:16:38. She ran last year’s Boston Marathon, finishing before the bombs.

Curwood said she felt safe as security was noticeably tight along the course and at the start and finish liens. She gave police officers high-fives along the way, and as temperatures rose to nearly 70 degrees at the finish, she shed her gloves, throwing them to a little girl, who broke out in a big smile.

“And that’s why we run,” said Curwood, who started crying after crossing the finish line. “I just kept telling spectators that we’re so thankful you’re out here. It’s important. They’re taking time out of their days to be there with us. They give you an extra push that you didn’t have. You feed off each other. The scene really was electric today. It was amazing.”